With nearly one-third of the NFL head coach jobs becoming available this offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers have quite a bit of potential competition for Chris Shula, Jesse Minter, Brian Flores and other candidates. But apparently the Cleveland Browns aren’t posing much of a threat to the candidates the Steelers are interested in.
Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reported Minter decided to cancel his interview with the Browns scheduled for Thursday. Cabot wrote the cancellation was because Minter feels like a more serious candidate for other openings.
Minter has been the Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator the past two years.
For whatever reason, the Browns getting rejections this week is becoming a theme. Cleveland 92.3 The Fan’s Anthony Lima reported Chris Shula and Jeff Hafley were high on the Browns’ head coaching wish list this offseason but didn’t interview for the opening.
Lima posted on X that he assumes both Shula and Hafley told the Browns “thanks but no thanks.”
Shula and Hafley did not interview with all the teams that reached out — if you believe what the agents leaked.
I’m assuming they all said, thanks but no thanks to the Browns.
The Steelers virtually interviewed Hafley, but he ultimately chose to become the next head coach for the Miami Dolphins.
But Minter and Shula are both still on the market. The Steelers have expressed interest in both candidates. In particular, there’s a lot of hype around Shula as a candidate for Pittsburgh.
The Steelers will have their first opportunity to meet with Shula in person next week after the NFC championship game.
Jesse Minter Cancels Browns Head Coaching Interview: Report
NFL insider Jordan Schultz confirmed Cabot’s report about Minter’s interview cancellation and his reasoning. Schultz also added a detail that Minter could be closing in on the Baltimore Ravens head coaching job.
“He is believed to be in serious consideration for other HC jobs, including Baltimore,” wrote Schultz.
The Browns announced completing interviews with incumbent defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Both finished their second interviews early this week.
It’s not really clear if Minter caught wind that he’s significantly behind both of those candidates in Cleveland, or if someone else is the favorite for the Browns.
But regardless, Minter essentially pulled himself out of the running with the Browns on Thursday.
Since 2017, Minter has coached under both Jim and John Harbaugh. Minter served as a defensive assistant for the Ravens from 2017-20. Then after a year at Vanderbilt, he became the Michigan defensive coordinator under John Harbaugh.
Minter followed John to become Chargers defensive coordinator in 2024.
During his first season, the Chargers finished first in points allowed. In 2025, Los Angeles was fifth in yards allowed and ninth in points yielded.
Steelers Facing Less Competition for Chris Shula?
It appears Steelers Nation could still end up loving or hating Minter. That all depends on if he becomes the next head coach of the Steelers or Ravens.
Minter appears to be a great head coach candidate. Minter going to Baltimore instead of Pittsburgh would be unfortunate for the Steelers. But that wouldn’t be as bad if the Steelers hire a different quality candidate such as Shula.
Shula has also been an NFL defensive coordinator the past two years. With the Los Angeles Rams in 2025, Shula’s unit was 10th in points allowed and 17th in yards.
Shula’s defense shut down Ben Johnson’s offense with the Chicago Bears in the NFC divisional round last Sunday.
Besides Minter and Shula, the Steelers are considering other candidates such as Flores, Mike McCarthy and Anthony Weaver. Therefore, it’s far from a foregone conclusion either Minter or Shula will land in Pittsburgh.
But one thing appears for certain — neither will be heading to Cleveland.
Steelers Head Coaching Targets Turn Down Browns Interviews: Reports